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NHRA headlines holiday weekend racing in Ohio

Ohio
Published 11:45 p.m. ET July 1, 2014

Top Fuel driver Doug Kalitta fires up his car during qualifying for the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals in Norwalk in 2013. Kalitta leads the Top Fuel points standings heading into this weekend’s race at Summit Motorsports Park.
(Photo:
NHRA/Submitted photo
)

In 11 events, he’s made seven final rounds but the NHRA Top Fuel veteran has just one victory this season. That could change this weekend when the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series returns to Norwalk’s Summit Motorsports Park for the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals.

“I really like running at Norwalk,” Kalitta said in a press release. “Norwalk is our closest track, and we always have great support from our local fans. It’s like a home race for us.”

Kalitta calls Ann Arbor, Mich., home.

“With some of my family and friends all there, it will be extra special to have a great outing and the Bader family always puts on a great event. It’s become one of the crown jewel events in our series, and I want a Wally for Norwalk extremely bad,” the 35-time Top Fuel winner said.

The pros will begin qualifying Friday and Saturday with eliminations set for 11 a.m. Sunday. He leads the standings by more than 100 points over former world champ Antron Brown as Kalitta is looking for his first championship since debuting in 1998.

“We’re all super focused and plan to continue to be a force to be reckoned with at each and every event for the rest of the season,” he said.

Holiday racing

While Summit Motorsports Park will attract thousands of fans and ESPN TV cameras, it’s not the only thing happening in Ohio’s racing scene during the holiday weekend.

Hilltop Speedway in Millersburg moved its traditional Saturday card to Friday to honor veterans. There will be 410 sprints, late models, modifieds, street stocks and mini stocks on the dirt oval. Tickets are $15 but $7.50 for veterans. Gates open at 5 p.m. with racing at 7:30 p.m.

Toledo Speedway will conduct the Hemelgarn Racing/Super Fitness Rollie Beale Classic today, the first stop for the King of Wing Sprint Car Shootout. Drivers from seven states and Canada are entered at the short asphalt oval. Racing starts at 7:30 p.m. with gates opening at 3 p.m.

Attica Raceway Park is holding its Fan Appreciation Night on Friday. General admission tickets are $10 to watch 410 sprints, late models, 305 sprints and dirt trucks. Free programs will be available for autographs between hot laps and racing, and there will be $1 hot dogs and 50-cent popcorn. Fireworks will be shot before each feature event. Gates open at 5 p.m. with racing at 7:45 p.m.

NAPA Wayne County Speedway will see racing Friday and Saturday. The Elite 8 Late Models, the Renegades of Dirt modifieds and super stocks will race both nights. Regular features for late models and modifieds will be Friday. The Don Gross Memorial for Elite 8 will be 45 laps for $4,000 to win Saturday with the modifieds going 30 laps for $3,000 also Saturday.

The highlight Saturday will be the Duffy Smith Memorial that will be a co-event for the UNOH All Stars and Ohio Valley Sprint Car Association with $5,000 going to the winner. Mod lites, mini stocks and mini wedges will be on hand Friday. Tickets are $10 Friday and $22 Saturday with races starting at 7:30 p.m. on the holiday and 7 p.m. Saturday.

Atomic Speedway in Chillicothe will conduct its special The Night the Stars Come Out event Thursday. It will feature All Star Sprints and late models going for $5,000 checks. Tickets are $25. Gates open at 4 p.m. with racing at 7 p.m.